Five-year costs for residency and citizenship programs
Headline prices for visas and citizenship programs rarely match what applicants pay. This ranking adds up the money you pay and do not get back over the first five years, for one applicant, so cheap-looking programs with high renewal fees and expensive-looking programs with no renewals can be compared fairly.
Five-year totals are still being checked. Program pages show individual fees where we have a source. Compare programs by country.
How this ranking is calculated
A five-year total requires verified government fees, contributions, due diligence, compulsory extras and renewals. Amounts in other currencies are converted to US dollars at the reference rate shown on the methodology page.
Two things are kept out of the total on purpose. Investments you can get back, such as property, funds or bank deposits, appear as an "invested" tag next to the cost. Adviser and lawyer fees vary widely and are not compulsory everywhere, so the program page shows the typical quote separately. Family costs are on each program page, because adding a spouse and children changes the order a lot.
Full formulas and sources are on the methodology page. Figures last reviewed 2026-11-15.
Cost ranking: FAQ
Why is a golden visa with a large investment not at the bottom of the cost ranking?
Because the investment itself is not a cost if you can sell the property or withdraw from the fund later. It appears as an "invested" tag. Taxes and fees on that investment are counted when they are compulsory.
Are lawyer fees included?
No. They are not required in every program and quotes vary widely. The program page shows the typical quote and its source beside the five-year cost.